The potential for isolation, lower self-esteem, and loss of independence makes not being able to operate a vehicle one of the most dreaded aspects of growing older. Research on older-driver safety has evolved over several decades, producing a better understanding of risk factors and how to address them.
Do Older Drivers Pose A Risk? Early research compared crash rates by age and found that younger drivers had more crashes overall, but older drivers faced higher risks of fatal or injury-producing crashes and higher crash rates relative to miles driven.
What Factors Impact Driver Performance? Later studies shifted to identifying specific factors that reduce driving ability. Reduced visual acuity, narrower visual fields, slower cognitive processing, and certain medical conditions and medications can affect driving.
Researchers recognized that separate tests of vision or cognition often missed how those abilities interact during real driving tasks. Driving requires simultaneous attention to the road ahead, monitoring peripheral motion, identifying signs and signals, judging speed and distance, and making split-second decisions.
Can Older Drivers Retain Driving Skills? Researchers began exploring interventions in the 1980s to help older adults maintain safe driving. Studies showed that training aimed at improving processing speed and visual attention could produce measurable UFOV gains.
The National Institute on Aging funded much of this work and helped validate the Useful Field of View (UFOV) concept. UFOV measures how quickly a driver notices, localizes, and identifies relevant targets in their visual environment, combining vision and cognitive processing.
UFOV testing and training today
Studies showed that larger UFOV impairments corresponded with higher crash risk, and that speed-of-processing training could improve UFOV by notable amounts for many participants. Training benefits varied in duration, and some drivers required booster sessions to maintain gains.
UFOV testing and training have become available through multiple channels, including state testing programs and private providers. For additional resources on safety training programs for older drivers, see The Importance of Safety Training for Older Drivers.
- Some states use UFOV testing as part of driver assessments.
- Insurance discounts have been offered to drivers who pass certain UFOV or safety programs.
- Independent programs and researcher-led initiatives provide training designed to improve processing speed and attention.
- Research continues into in-car methods to monitor and alert drivers about attention and performance.
- Some studies have also reported secondary benefits, such as reduced depressive symptoms and improved quality of life.
In closing, UFOV testing and training have been refined over many years and offer a practical way to address age-related changes that can affect driving.
For broader guidance on aging-related concerns that often accompany driving issues, including home safety and fraud awareness, see Challenges of Aging: Driving, Home Safety, and Fraud Awareness.
If you want to review driving safety options with an insurance professional, you can talk to an agent about available programs and coverage considerations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Useful Field of View (UFOV)?
UFOV measures how quickly and accurately a person detects and identifies visual information across their central and peripheral vision while managing attention demands.
Can UFOV training really improve driving safety?
Research shows many older adults improve processing speed and attention after structured UFOV training, which in some studies correlated with lower crash risk and better functional outcomes.
How long do training benefits last?
Duration varies by individual; some maintain gains for many months while others benefit from periodic booster sessions to retain improvements.
Where can I find UFOV testing or training?
UFOV testing and training are offered by research centers, private providers, and in some jurisdictions through driver-assessment programs.